Tone Youth Football Club and Trull Cricket Club salute Dave 'Shakey' James

Club hero

THE County Gazette is asking sports clubs to nominate their ‘club heroes’, and no-one matches that description better than Dave ‘Shakey’ James.

James has dedicated much of his life to Tone Youth Football Club and Trull Cricket Club, raising countless amounts of money for both clubs.

Tone Youth FC told the County Gazette: “Dave James has always put 100 per cent dedication into everything he does.

“He dedicated 10 years of his life to managing Tone Youth FC alongside Dan James, after taking over in 2008, when they nearly folded.

“He took on all responsibilities, no matter how big or small, from sorting all kit sponsors and fundraising events, to buying all the balls and first aid.

“He made the half-time oranges every week and washed the kits, with the help of his wife Kate of course.

“A lot of people would have failed to do what he achieved, and we couldn’t be prouder of his commitment to the club.”

Richard Lines, chairman and head groundsman at Trull CC, said James was “loved by everyone in the sporting community”.

As Lines’ “right-hand man”, James had been a massive help in undertaking maintenance work and fundraising over more than 15 years at the club.

“He built new changing rooms, showers and toilets, and was always busy around the ground,” Lines explained.

“He was always fundraising, and organised the awards evenings for the kids as well.”

HAUL: Dave James with the trophies won by Trull CC at the Somerset League presentation night in 2016

The last 18 months have seen James face terminal bladder cancer, but that did not stop him organising a charity football match between Tone and Trull, which took place at the Wyvern Club in the autumn of last year.

Lines estimates that 200 people attended, and the event raised just under £6,000 for Action Bladder Cancer UK.

It is not known how much time James has left, said Lines, but he is in high spirits when he speaks to him every weekend.

“Dave was no great cricketer, but is full of enthusiasm,” Lines added.

“He’s still putting messages in our group chat, saying he hopes to make the 1st XI this year.

“He’s taken it all so light-heartedly.

“He’s a big man with a big heart, and the club will always be indebted to him.”

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